Shot holder

ABSTRACT

A holder for shot is defined by vertically spaced upper and lower large and small diameter flexible horizontal rings with corresponding diametrically opposite portions of the rings interconnected by means of upstanding strap members secured thereto and extending therebetween, the upper ends of the strap members projecting above the upper ring and including releasably engageable snap fasteners for securement together over the top of a spherical shot cradled within the rings. A second inverted Ushaped strap member has its free end portions secured to and extending between pairs of corresponding diametrically opposite portions of the upper and lower rings disposed in a vertical diametric plane generally normal to a vertical diametric plane containing the first-mentioned straps or strap members and the upper bight portion of the inverted U-shaped strap member is spaced above the releasably joined upper ends of the firstmentioned strap members and defines a handle or shoulder strap by which the holder and a shot supported therein may be readily carried. The diameter of the lower ring is at least slightly greater than one half the diameter of the larger upper ring and the rings and strap members comprising the holder may be constructed of any suitable flexible strap material such as plastic, nylon or leather, etc.

United States Patent 1191 Castaneda NOV. 11, 1975 1 SHOT HOLDER Octavio Castaneda, Newhall, Calif.

[731 Assignees: Alicia C. Lopez; Jose G. Castaneda;

Jose H. Adriano, all of Newhall, Calif. part interest to each 1 Filed: July 25, 1974 121 App]. No: 491,945

[75] Inventor:

[52] U.S. Cl. 224/45 L; 224/55; 294/74 R [51] Int. Cl. B65D 79/00 [58] Field of Search 224/45 R, 45 L, 55, 56,

224/57, 49, 22, 5 D; 273/64 R; 150/52 A, 52 R; 294/74 R; 229/46 R52 AC, 52 AL Primary ExaminerR0bert J. Spar Assistant E.\'aminerKenneth Noland Attorney, Agent, or FirmClarenCe A. O"Brien; Harvey B. Jacobson ABSTRACT A holder for shot is defined by vertically spaced upper and lower large and small diameter flexible horizontal rings with corresponding diametrically opposite portions of the rings interconnected by means of upstanding strap members secured thereto and extending therebetween, the upper ends of the strap members projecting above the upper ring and including releasably engageable snap fasteners for securement together over the top of a spherical shot cradled within the rings. A second inverted U-shaped strap member has its free end portions secured to and extending between pairs of corresponding diametrically opposite portions of the upper and lower rings disposed in a vertical diametric plane generally normal to a vertical diametric plane containing the first-mentioned straps or strap members and the upper bight portion of the inverted U-shapedzstr-ap member is spaced above the releasably joined upper ends of the first-mentioned strap members and defines a handle or shoulder strap by which the holder and a shot supported therein may be readily carried, The diameter of the lower ring is at least slightly greater than one half the diameter of the larger upper ring and the rings and strap members comprising the holder may be constructed of any suitable flexible strap material such as plastic, nylon or leather, etc.

6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 SHOT HOLDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various devices have been heretofore designed for the purpose of carrying heavy and cumbersome articles such as bowling balls. In addition, various other structures have been heretofore designed to carry specifically shaped articles of a configuration other than spherical. Examples of carriers specifically designed to carry spherical objects may be found in US. Pat. Nos. 1,199,330 and 2,302,802 and article carriers including some of the general structure of the holder of themstant invention may be found in US. Pat. Nos. 1,008,939 and 2,532,306.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The holder of the instant invention includes a pairof vertically spaced horizontally disposed large and small diameter upper and lower rings interconnected at corresponding points spaced circumferentially thereabout by a plurality of upstanding strap members whereby the holder may embracingly engage the horizontal midportion of a shot in the upper ring portion thereof and may cradle the under portion of the associated shot in the lower ring thereof. The upper ends of one pair of diametrically opposite connecting strap members comprise the lower end portions of an inverted U-shaped strap member whose upper bight portion defines a carrying bail for the holder and a second pair of diametrically opposite upstanding strap members extending and interconnected between the upper and lower rings of the shot holder project above the upper ring and include releasably engageable fastening means for securing the upper ends of the second strap members over the top of a shot disposed within the holder.

The main object of this invention is to provide a shot holder whereby shot may be readily carried onto and from an athletic field.

Another object of this invention is to provide a shot holder constructed in a manner whereby the holder and the shot supported therefrom may be carried by the hand of a person or over the shoulder of a person.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a shot holder in accordance with the preceding objects and which will be of light weight construction.

A further object of this invention is to provide a shot holder which may be readily constructed of various sizes so as to be adaptable foruse in carrying shot in various sizes from six pound shot to twenty pound shot.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a shot holder which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible. long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of the holder with an associated shot disposed therein;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now more specifically to the drawings. the numeral generally designates the shot holder of the instant invention. The holder 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings as supporting a shot 12 there within. The holder 10 includes a first strap member 14 with its opposite ends secured together to define an upper horizontal ring and a second similar strap member 16 is also provided and has its opposite ends secured together to define a second smaller diameter lower ring. The diameter of the second lower ring 16 is greater than one half the diameter of the upper ring 14 and each of the strap members 14 and 16 may be constructed of any suitable flexible material such as plastic, leather and nylon. nylon webbing being preferred in the construction of the straps l4 and 16.

A pair of upstanding strap members 18 and 20 constructed of a similar material are also provided and the lower ends of the strap members 18 and 20 are secured to diametric opposite portions of the lower ring 16 by means of suitable fasteners 22. The mid-portions of the strap members 18 and 20 are secured to diametrically opposite portions of the strap member 14 by means of suitable fasteners 24 similar to the fasteners 22 and the fasteners 22 and 24 are disposed in a single upstanding diametric plane of the rings 14 and 16.

The upper ends of the strap members 18 and 20 include releasably engageable snap fastener elements 26 and 28 and the upper ends of the strap members 18 and 20 may therefore be secured together in a releasable manner such as that illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

A shot'l2 is snugly receivable within the ring 14 with its lower portion cradled in the ring 16 and the upper ends of the strap members 18 and 20 snugly secured over the upper portion of the shot 12 by means of the snap fastener elements 26 and 28. Of course. when it is desired to remove the shot 12 from the holder 10, the snap fastener elements 26 and 28 are released from engagement with each other and the free upper ends of the strap members 18 and 20 are pulled apart to enable the shot 12 to be lifted upwardly from the holder 10 through the strap member or ring 14.

The strap members 18 and 20 are disposed in the same upstanding diametric plane containing the fasteners 22 and 24 and a second inverted U-shaped strap member 30 is disposed in an upstanding plane disposed generally normal to the plane containing the strap members 18 and 20. The inverted U-shaped strap member 30 includes depending opposite side leg portions 32 and 34 and an upper integral bight portion 36 interconnecting the upper ends of the leg portions or legs 32 and 34. The lower ends of the legs 32 and 34 are secured to corresponding diametrically opposite portions of the strap members or rings 14 and 16 by means of fasteners 38 and 40 and the bight portion 36 of the strap member 30 is spaced above the interconnected upper ends of the strap members 18 and 20 a distance equal to at least one half the diameter of the ring 14.

in use the holder is prepared to receive the shot 12 by releasing the snap fastener elements or members 26 and 28 from engagement with each other and spreading the upper ends of the strap members 18 and apart. Thereafter. the shot 12 is lowered down into the holder with the horizontal diameter of the shot 12 snugly received within the ring or strap member 14 and the lower portion of the shot 12 cradled in the ring or strap member 16. Then. the upper free ends of the strap members 18 and 20 are swung into overlapping engagement with each other and secured together by means of the snap fasteners 26 and 28 in the manner illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 2. Then, the holder 10 may be carried in the hand of a person or passed over the shoulder of a person whereby the holder 10 may be readily utilized to transport the shot onto and from an athletic field.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to. falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A holder for shot. said holder including a first strap member having opposite ends joined together to define a first horizontal generally circular ring, a second strap member having opposite ends joined together to define a second horizontal generally circular ring spaced be- I low, vertically registered with and of inside and outside ends together, and a third strap member having its terminal end portions anchored to diametrically opposite portions of said second ring disposed in a first vertical plane at generally right angles to a vertical plane containing the first mentioned diametrically opposite portions of said second ring and spaced opposite end portions spaced from said terminal ends secured to generally diametrically opposite portions of said first ring disposed in said first plane, the length of said third strap member between said spaced opposite end portions thereof being sufficient to elevate the midpoint of said third strap member above said first strap member a distance equal to at least three-quarters the diameter of said first ring, the inside diameters of and the spacing between the first and second rings being such that a spherical member snugly embraced by said first ring at a horizontal diameter of said spherical member will be snugly cradled by said second ring at a point spaced sufficiently above the lowest extremity of said spherical member to allow the lowest extremity of said spherical member to be placed upon the ground with said second ring spaced above the ground, said pair of strap members. when said other pair of ends are secured together. being operative to snugly embrace the upper portion of said spherical member and operative to support said second ring against downward displacement relative to said spherical member.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said rings are flexible and said third strap member is flexible.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the inside diameter of said second ring is equal to at least one half the diameter of said first ring.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises releasably engageable snap fastener members carried by said other pair of ends of said pair of strap members.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the inside diameter of said second ring is equal to at least one half the diameter of said first ring.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said rings are flexible and said third strap member is flexible.

l l l 

1. A holder for shot, said holder including a first strap member having opposite ends joined together to define a first horizontal generally circular ring, a second strap member having opposite ends joined together to define a second horizontal generally circular ring spaced below, vertically registered with and of inside and outside diameters appreciable smaller than the inside diameter of said first ring, a pair of flexible strap members having one pair of corresponding ends secured to diametrically opposite portions of said second ring and corresponding midportions secured to similar diametrically opposite portions of said first ring, the other pair of ends of said pair of strap members including securing means operative to releasably secure said other pair of ends together, and a third strap member having its terminal end portions anchored to diametrically opposite portions of said second ring disposed in a first vertical plane at generally right angles to a vertical plane containing the first mentioned diametrically opposite portions of said second ring and spaced opposite end portions spaced from said terminal ends secured to generally diametrically opposite portions of said first ring disposed in said first plane, the length of said third strap member between said spaced opposite end portions thereof being sufficient to elevate the midpoint of said third strap member above said first strap member a distance equal to at least three-quarters the diameter of said first ring, the inside diameters of and the spacing between the first and second rings being such that a spherical member snugly embraced by said first ring at a horizontal diameter of said spherical member will be snugly cradled by said second ring at a point spaced sufficiently above the lowest extremity of said spherical member to allow the lowest extremity of said spherical member to be placed upon the ground with said second ring spaced above tHe ground, said pair of strap members, when said other pair of ends are secured together, being operative to snugly embrace the upper portion of said spherical member and operative to support said second ring against downward displacement relative to said spherical member.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said rings are flexible and said third strap member is flexible.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the inside diameter of said second ring is equal to at least one half the diameter of said first ring.
 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises releasably engageable snap fastener members carried by said other pair of ends of said pair of strap members.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the inside diameter of said second ring is equal to at least one half the diameter of said first ring.
 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said rings are flexible and said third strap member is flexible. 